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The hospital says: " At present we are fortunate in having no more than a handful of patients in the Royal Berkshire Hospital suffering from the virus - and we are working hard to prevent any more people - patients or staff - from catching it.

"We are appealing to everyone to take all possible measures to help us keep the virus from being brought into the hospital and affecting more patients. With Xmas approaching, we are particularly anxious to do everything possible so that restricting visits is only imposed as a final resort."

Visitors to Maidstone Hospital in Kent have been stopped after an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug. Visitors to Tunbridge Wells Hospital have also been told to only visit if it's absolutely necessary. Patients with planned appointments will continue to be seen as normal unless told otherwise.

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A leading Kent hospital went into 'lockdown' today - the latest casualty of the rapid spread of norovirus. The Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate has closed four wards to new admissions and quarantined exisiting patients.

A deep-clean of the hospital is now underway. The QEQM and two other east Kent Hospitals - the William Harvey and the Kent & Canterbury - are urging visitors, especially children, to stay away unless absolutely necessary.

In Sussex - the Royal Sussex in Brighton and the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath have had to close 15 wards since last month - all but one has now reopened.

Meanwhile, dozens of holidaymakers from the south-east have told of their ordeal aboard a cruise ship struck by norovirus, the so-called winter vomiting bug. David Johns reports.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust are asking people not to visit family and friends at Maidstone Hospital after a number of cases of Norovirus among patients. If people consider their visit to be urgent, they need to contact the relevant ward and speak to staff to make an arrangement.

Visitors can continue to attend Tunbridge Wells Hospital but are being asked to help reduce the risk of infection by only visiting patients there if absolutely necessary. Three hospital wards are currently not taking any new admissions. The hospital has 27 patients with Norovirus today.

Visiting at Maidstone Hospital has been temporarily stopped following cases of Norovirus. We realise that this might be difficult for some people who want to visit family and friends but we are very grateful for everyone’s co-operation and understanding at this time. Norovirus is a particular problem for hospitals because we are looking after already unwell people who may have reduced immunity and are susceptible to infection.

– Dr Sara Mumford, Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Trust

We will review the situation daily and let people know as soon as normal visiting hours can be resumed. When normal visiting hours are back in place, we would urge anyone feeling unwell still not to come into the hospital to visit patients, and not to bring children. If anyone has suffered with sickness and diarrhoea, they should ensure they have been clear of any symptoms for 48 hours before they attend the hospital to visit relatives or friends.

– Dr Sara Mumford, Director of Infection Prevention and Control at the Trust

Symptoms typically begin 24-48 hours after infection with the virus. Sudden onset of nausea is usually the first sign of infection, followed by vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

How do you catch Norovirus?

Through contact with an infected person, as well as contact with surfaces – such as door handles and tables – that are contaminated with the virus. It is also caught by consuming contaminated food or liquid.

A leading Kent hospital went into 'lockdown' today - the latest casualty of the rapid spread of norovirus. The Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate has closed four wards to new admissions and quarantined exisiting patients.

A deep-clean of the hospital is now underway. The QEQM and two other east Kent Hospitals - the William Harvey and the Kent & Canterbury - are urging visitors, especially children, to stay away unless absolutely necessary.

In Sussex, 15 wards have been closed since last month at the Royal Sussex in Brighton and the Princess Royal at Haywards Heath - all but one has now re-opened.